Humanists Outraged at President Trump’s Plan to Allow Churches to Endorse Political Candidates

Humanists Outraged at President Trump’s Plan to Allow Churches to Endorse Political Candidates

American Humanist Association leaders are disturbed by today’s New York Times report that President Trump plans to issue an executive order tomorrow, on the National Day of Prayer, allowing churches to participate in the political process by endorsing candidates for office without risking their tax-exempt status. This is a violation of the Johnson Amendment, a law in the U.S. tax code made in 1954 which prohibits certain tax-exempt organizations from endorsing and opposing political candidates.

In a statement, Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association, said, “When churches and other faith groups become embroiled in politics, our nation moves dangerously toward becoming a theocracy, not a democracy.”

Leaders at the American Humanist Association are available for further comment.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY

WHAT: Opposing President Trump’s executive order allowing churches to endorse political candidates

WHO: The American Humanist Association has made protecting the Johnson Amendment the top priority of their advocacy agenda and led the charge against its repeal since it hosted congressional briefings in the House and Senate on January 31, 2017 (see press release here). Spokespeople on this issue include Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association, and Matthew Bulger, legislative director of the American Humanist Association

WHEN: Thursday, May 4, 2017 (both the National Day of Prayer and the National Day of Reason, an initiative sponsored by the American Humanist Association)

To schedule interviews with representatives from the American Humanist Association, please contact Patrick Hudson at phudson@americanhumanist.org or 202-238-9088 ext. 105.